Installing the BlackCloak app
How do I install the BlackCloak app on my iPhone or Android device?
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Search for “BlackCloak” and tap “Get” to download.
- Once installed, open the app and follow the on-screen setup steps.
Having trouble installing? Try these steps first:
- Make sure your iPhone is running iOS 16 or later. Go to Settings → General → Software Update to check.
- Confirm your Apple ID is set to a supported region (see App availability by region below).
- Check that you have enough storage: Settings → General → iPhone Storage.
- Force-quit the App Store (swipe up from the bottom, swipe away the App Store card), then reopen it and try again.
- Sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in: Settings → [Your Name] → Sign Out, then sign back in.
- Restart your iPhone and try the download again.
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- Search for “BlackCloak” and tap “Install”.
- Once installed, open the app and follow the on-screen setup steps.
Having trouble installing? Try these steps first:
- Make sure your device is running Android 10 or later. Go to Settings → About Phone → Software Information.
- Confirm your Google Play country/region is set to a supported region (see App availability by region below).
- Check available storage: Settings → Storage.
- Clear the Google Play Store cache: Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage → Clear Cache, then try again.
- Make sure your Google account is active and in good standing in the Play Store.
- Restart your device and retry the installation.
Still having trouble? Contact the person who invited you and let them know — they can escalate to the BlackCloak support team on your behalf.
App permissions
Once installed, should I enable the permissions the app asks for?
Yes — the three permissions below are each tied directly to how Impersonation Protection works. Enabling all three gives you the full, reliable experience the feature is designed to provide.
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Biometrics (Face ID / Fingerprint)
Confirms it is truly you when someone sends you a confirmation challenge.
Why it matters
Without this, your confirmation will show as “Unconfirmed,” which signals to the sender that they should not share sensitive information or funds.
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Location
Provides a city/state location signal when you respond to a challenge.
Why it matters
This adds a layer of trust — the sender can see the response is coming from a location that makes sense for you. If location is unavailable, it may raise a flag.
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Notifications
Alerts you immediately when someone sends you a confirmation challenge.
Why it matters
A challenge only works if you see it in time. Without notifications, you could miss a request and leave someone waiting — or proceed without confirmation. Don’t miss it.
App availability by region
What if the app is not available in my region?
The BlackCloak app is currently available in the following regions:
Not seeing the app in your store? If you are located outside the regions listed above — including most of Africa, the Asia Pacific region beyond the countries listed, and the broader Middle East — the BlackCloak app may not yet be available in your local App Store or Google Play. Availability is expanding. Please reach out to the person who invited you so they are aware.
Using Impersonation Protection
Why would I ever need to use this feature?
Fraud and impersonation attacks happen across every channel — email, phone calls, text messages, and even video calls. With today’s deepfake and voice-cloning technology, a call or video from someone who looks and sounds like a trusted contact can be entirely fabricated.
Circle of trust — Impersonation Protection gives you a way to confirm in real time that the person contacting you is genuinely who they say they are, before you share anything sensitive.
Someone emails asking you to transfer funds urgently?
Send a challenge first.
You get a call from your contact asking for login credentials?
Confirm before sharing.
A video call looks right but something feels off?
Confirm it is genuinely them before proceeding.
You get peace of mind on every interaction — knowing you will never hand over sensitive information or money without being certain it’s the right person on the other end.
Can I send a request to the person who invited me, or only receive them?
Both. Impersonation Protection is fully bidirectional. If the person who invited you reaches out — by email, call, text, or video — you can initiate a challenge yourself just as easily as receiving one from them.
Note: As an invitee, you can only exchange requests with the person who invited you. You cannot add new contacts or invite others through your account.
How do I send a confirmation request to someone?
Use this when you receive an outreach — an email, call, text, or video — from the person who invited you and you want to confirm it is genuinely them before responding.
- On the BlackCloak app home screen, tap “New Request”.
- Select the name of the person who invited you.
- Choose how they reached out to you (email, phone, text, video, etc.).
- Add a detailed note describing what they are asking for — for example: “Requesting wire transfer of $50,000” or “Asking for login credentials.”
- Tap “Submit”. The person will receive your challenge on their end.
The more detail you include in your note, the easier it is for the person to understand what is being requested of you — and to confirm or deny it.
I received a confirmation request. How do I know it’s safe to proceed?
When you receive an incoming confirmation challenge, look at two things before you respond or share anything:
If Biometrics shows “Unconfirmed” AND Location shows “Unavailable,” do not share sensitive information, login credentials, or transfer any funds. Reach out to the person through a separate, trusted channel to confirm before proceeding.
Understanding your Mobile Device Status
What does the “Mobile Device Status” section in the app mean?
The Mobile Device Status screen gives you a quick security health check on the device you’ve installed BlackCloak on. It checks six things:
Passcode-Protected
Your device requires a passcode to unlock it. This is your first line of defense if your phone is ever lost or left unattended.
Biometrics Enabled
You have Face ID or a fingerprint set up on your device. Biometrics make it faster and more secure to unlock your phone and confirm challenges inside the app.
Encryption On
The data stored on your device is encrypted. On most modern phones, encryption is automatically enabled when biometrics are set up — so these two go hand in hand.
System Up-to-Date
Your device is running the latest available software, including security patches and updates. Staying current closes the vulnerabilities attackers look for.
Non-Compromised
Your device has not been jailbroken (iPhone) or rooted (Android). Modifying a device this way strips away its built-in security protections and can expose it to threats that would otherwise be blocked.
BotNet Threats
Your device is not part of a botnet. A botnet is a network of devices that have been secretly taken over by attackers and are being remotely controlled — often without the owner ever knowing. This check confirms your device is clean.
Each check shows a green indicator when the status is good, and red when something needs attention. A fully green device means you are well-positioned to safely use Impersonation Protection. If any item shows red, follow the on-screen guidance or reach out to the person who invited you.
Questions?
Contact the BlackCloak member who invited you and they can connect you with the BlackCloak support team.
